Wicklow Weather advise “Prepare for cold snap”

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Anyone taking a walk this morning will have noticed a bitter chill in the air, Aughrim based Wicklow Weather are advising to prepare for a cold snap that will see temperatures plummet for the next week.

Forecasters in the UK are predicting the coldest week since the winter of 2010.

ADVANCED WEATHER ADVISORY (WARNING)
TIMELINE: MONDAY 26TH FEB 2018……ONWARDS
AREA: NATIONWIDE
CONFIDENCE: 100% Minor disruption.
CONFIDENCE: 70% Severe disruption.
This our first “warning” advisory for very cold temperatures setting in from Monday the 26th of February. We have already upgraded through 50% general advisory to a 70% be prepared advisory, this is a readiness and be prepared warning. The next level we will issue (If required) is a “severe” warning.

At this time it looks possible that the cold outbreak will last until the end of next week at least?
We recommend and urge the public to keep a close eye on Met Eireann and your local forecasts over the coming days and week ahead. We expect our national forecaster to begin rolling out advisories over the coming weekend.

AVOID ALL UPLAND ROAD NETWORKS REGARDLESS OF LOW LAND CONDITIONS.
From Monday and throughout the course of next week we expect to see temperatures drop back each day. The threat of wintry falls of snow will increase as we proceed through the week.

Latest guidance suggests that by mid week temperatures will struggle to highs of or stay below 0c/-2c by day -4c/-9c by night with an increasing risk of widespread snow accumulations across the eastern half of Ireland from Monday night through to Saturday. Wind chill or feel like temps will be exceptionally cold in a brisk easterly wind from Tuesday.

The snow threat from a nationwide aspect will also increase as the week goes on. There is a 70% risk of very heavy snowfalls leading to widespread disruption. Putting that into a perspective there is a 1 in 3 chance that a severe outbreak will not occur.

We continue to urge the public to check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours and family. Please make them aware of the weather outlook next week. Do they have enough medication, food and fuel?

100% Confidence: Very Cold Outlook 5/7 days as of Monday, minor disruption.
70% Confidence: Severe to Widespread Disruption in Ireland.#FAILTOPREPARE#PREPARETOFAIL